Al Bairaq programme starts new cycle of ‘I am Discovering Materials’ for secondary students

After months of preparation to provide highly efficient scientific workshops with rich content, Qatar University’s (QU) Al Bairaq programme started a new cycle of their “I am Discovering Materials” track for students in their junior or senior years in high schools, in schools to the north of Qatar.
The track aims to provide various workshops in the field of material science, in order to achieve several objectives. Most importantly, it involves students in scientific research and gives them the ability to identify problems, test them and solve them. It also aims to encourage students to enter scientific disciplines and improve their attitudes through their work as scientists and researchers, which helps them in choosing suitable scientific disciplines upon joining university.
The Al Bairaq programme works hand-in-hand with national institutions to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 in the field of human and community development and education. It also contributes significantly to the country’s educational, research and industrial renaissance.
The 15th cycle will focus on schools from the city of Al Daayen to the Al Shamal area. Students in Al Bairaq join scientific workshops in school laboratories on subjects such as smart sensors, polymers, biodegradable materials and composite materials. Al Bairaq follows the STEAM curriculum in all workshops, which integrates science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art. During these workshops, students learn through scientific experimentation, documenting observations and concluding from results. This consolidates the skills of scientific research, problem solving, critical thinking, construction of posters and presentations skills.
Students are also given the opportunity to apply their knowledge by creating a project in which they solve a problem of society, industry or environment. The Al Bairaq team supervises the students for two months as they work on the projects. The students then submit their ideas in a scientific research and innovation conference, to be evaluated by a panel of judges at QU.
Jassim Jumah Al Muraikhi, Principal of Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School for Boys, one of the schools participating in this cycle, said, “The Al Bairaq programme, under the supervision of Qatar University, is a programme that contributes to the preparation of tomorrow’s human being, the human being of knowledge, and construction. Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad High School is pleased to have the privilege to participate in this programme, which develops students and expands their perception and cognitive skills.”
The President of Al Bairaq programme and Head of Communication and Outreach at QU, Dr. Noora Jabor Al Thani, said, “Scientific research is one of the most important factors in the advancement and development of human civilization. Scientific research has contributed since ancient times in producing inventions beneficial to humankind. Therefore, Al Bairaq is keen to encourage students to participate in scientific research, preparing them to become leaders in the development of their country.”